😎 Chance to Win NEW Open Sky Swag, May is Mental Health Month & More!

🚲 Open Sky's 37th Annual Valley Friendship Tour

Saturday, June 11th, 2022

9:00 - 1:00 PM

Alternatives' Whitin Mill

50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA

Join us as we Run, Bike and Walk in the historic Blackstone Valley to support the programs of Open Sky.

Music, food, and yoga on the plaza. Activities for all ages!

We've also got some really cool fundraising incentives waiting for you.

Raise $250: What better way to celebrate the coming of summer than lounging on an Open Sky picnic blanket? It's water-resistant, spill-resistant, sand-resistant AND has a pocket. Take it to the park, the beach and pretty much anywhere else!

Raise $500: A duffel? A cooler? No, it's both! This convertible duffel-cooler is perfect for on-the-go. It fits up to 12 cans with an insulated liner which can be removed and used as a bag. It's great for barbecues, weekend trips, and more!

Want both items? Raise $1000 for these perfect picnic partners.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors: MSG Staffing & The Shop at Whitinsville

What are you waiting for? Register today!

Can you guess what this year's VFT-shirt color will be? Vote in the poll below!

💚 May is Mental Health Month

Each year, millions of Americans are affected by mental illness. Mental health is an important component to overall health and wellbeing. Throughout the month of May, people are encouraged to raise awareness, smash the stigma and advocate for better health care. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help.

Open Sky has already brought awareness to Mental Health Month in many ways and we have more to come:

Staff were encouraged to wear green ribbons and take mental health themed bookmarks at our Worcester and Whitinsville offices in recognition of Children's Mental Health Week (5/1-5/7).

Mental health statistics and resources will be shared throughout the entire month.

ValleyCAST created a community resource page on the Open Sky website.

On 4/23, The Community Membership Department hosted a Hope Day Celebration in Southbridge and ValleyCAST hosted a Hope Day Walk in Whitinsville.

Open Sky sponsored table at the Yes to Recovery Committee Pasta Night Fundraiser on 5/3 at Worcester Technical High School.

The Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Services (CAYAS) Division hosted an outdoor movie night on 5/6. Attendees wrote down three things they found helpful during their mental health struggle and three things they wanted to see change. The responses were compiled in a PowerPoint to send to participants and the Department of Mental Health.

The Parent-Peer Partnership Program and other Young Adults had an event in Fitchburg called Peers at the Park on 5/7. There was free food, games, an obstacle course and resource tables. The event was hosted by LUK Inc., Department of Mental Health, Open Sky Community Services, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Kiva/Zia Center, Tempo, NAMI and more!

Open Sky had a table at the City of Worcester's Smash the Stigma event on 5/10.

Crystal House Clubhouse is having a Mental Health Awareness Picnic in the Park on 5/18 from 11am-2pm at Monument Park, Gardner, MA. Community mental health professionals will be present to share information with attendees. A picnic lunch prepared by Crystal House will be available for $3, which includes a sandwich wrap, chips and a drink.

Staff and individuals from our Ives House program, Riverside Road program, and the Clinical Team will be attending the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Central MA Walk in Boston on 5/21.

Check out these photos from the Southbridge Hope Day Celebration! The event was a collaboration with the Yellow Tulip Project, a youth-driven, nonprofit organization that aims to reduce mental health stigma.

🎣 7th Annual Family Fun Fishing Day

Pre-registration is now open!

Join us for this FREE inclusive event featuring a fun filled day of friendly competition!

Saturday, June 4th(rain date June 5th)

10am - 1pm

River Bend Farm

287 Oak St., Uxbridge

Prizes, Food & Ice Cream Trucks!

Early fishers get the worm - Register here!

This is a FREE event, but pre-registration is required.

Pre-registration now open

✊🏿 Stand Against Racism Community Breakfast

hosted by YWCA Central Massachusetts

Open Sky is a proud Equity Champion sponsor of the 2022 Stand Against Racism Community Breakfast, along with Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance Inc., Worcester Department of Health and Human Services, UNUM, and UMass Memorial Health Care.

The Stand Against Racism campaign aims to bring awareness to racism within our communities and connect with other activists and allies to build pathways towards racial equity and justice.

The event was hosted on April 25th at YWCA Central Massachusetts and featured Honorable Sonia R. Chang-Díaz, Massachusetts State Senator, Second Suffolk District.